Wringer release mechanism



July 24, 1956 N. L. ETTEN WRINGER RELEASE MECHANISM Filed Sept. 3, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l I ll HQ 4 .24 as 39 I E lNvENTI FL 7 MM Ev AL'TDENEYE':

July 24, 1956 N. L. ETTEN WRINGER RELEASE MECHANfSM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 3, 1935 MENTIIIR W44 A W EN W 1 W AT TERNEY'E July 24, 1956 N. L. ETTEN WRINGER RELEASE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-5heet 3 Filed Sept. 3, 1935 MENTUFL W ma. EIY

aw ATTEENEYE July 24, 1956 N. ETTEN WRINGER RELEASE MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 5, 1935 5 6 M w a 4 6 E A TLIENEYE WRINGER RELEASE MECHANISM Nicholas L. Etten, Waterloo, Iowa, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Chamberlain Corporation, a corporation of Iowa Application September 3, 1935, Serial No. 38,932

51 Claims. (Cl. 68253) This invention refers to wringer release mechanisms and has for one of its objects to provide a quick release mechainsm for roll wringers, which may be operated with small manual effort.

Another object is to provide a mechainsm, as aforesaid, which includes means whereby the released mechanism may be easily restored to working position.

A further object is to provide a wringer mechanism wherein there is a manually operable arm mechanism capable of movement to bring about application of pressure on the rolls, which arm carries an independently operable member capable of bringing about release of said pressure.

Other objects will appear in the following description and accompanying drawings in which;

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a wringer embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with cover portions removed to expose underlying mechanism;

Fig. 2A is a fragmentary end elevational view taken from the left side of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2B is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the line 2B2B of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 3 is a broken plan view taken from line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional end elevational view taken on line 44 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmental sectional elevational view showing details of mechanism to be explained;

Fig. 6 is a fragmental view showing details of mechanism to be described;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmental sectional side elevational view showing details of mechanism to be referred to;

Fi 8 is a fractional end elevational detail view;

Fi 9 is a side elevational View similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of release device;

Fig. 10 is a fractional sectional elevational view taken on line 16-19 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view showing details of mechanism to be referred to taken substantially as indicated by line 1111 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a fractional sectional plan view taken on line 1212 of Fig. 11.

My invention is herein shown as embodied in a roll wringer mechainsm which includes a lower frame 10 having end upright portions 11 and 12, in which are disposed bearing blocks 13 and 14 journalling the shaft of lower wringer roll 15.

The bearing blocks are supported for veritcal movement in the lower frame and are made vertically adjustable by means of screws 16 threaded in a bottom portion of the frame.

At the right hand end, Fig. 2, the shaft of roll extends beyond the bearing block 14 and is connected with a shaft 22 by a coupling 17 which is slidably keyed on 2,755,53 Patented July 24, 1956 both shafts by means of pins 18 and 20 confined by slots 19 and 21 respectively, see Fig. 6.

Referring to Fig. 5, shaft 22 extends Within the hub structure 23 of a gear 24, the hub being journalled in a frame structure 25 which is part of a supporting post structure 26 not shown in detail, and which forms a wringer head or gear housing.

The frame structure also carries a vertical driving shaft 27 which rotatably supports a pair of gears 28 and 29 having teeth 30 engageable by teeth 31 of a clutch member 32 which is slidably keyed to shaft 27, see Fig. 2.

An annular slot 33 in the clutch member is engaged by a stud 34 eccentrically disposed in a shank portion 35, which is journalled in the frame structure, and has an afiixed handle 36 by means of which the shank is rotated to move the clutch 32 into engagement with gear 28 or 29 to rotate the same in unison with shaft 27 and thus bring about rotation of gear 24 and the lower wringer roll in a selected direction.

Driving mechanisms of the type shown are conventional and are thought well enough known to make further description unnecessary.

Shaft 22 is attached to gear 24 through a member 37 which is so mounted as to provide a flexible coupling between the gear and shaft. By reason of this coupling, limited misalignment of the lower roll 15, as by adjustment of screws 16, is permitted without alteration of the driving connection.

Coupling 17 is normally urged toward the left, Fig. 5, and 6, by a spring 38 to normally hold pin 18 and slots 19 in engagement. However the spring permits rearward movement of the coupling as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, to disengage the pin and thus break the connection between the roll and driving source.

Coupling 17 has a shoulder 17' against which rests inwardly directed portions 39 of a member 40 which has parallel side portions connected by a top portion 41. Member 40 is pivotally supported at 42 upon a pin 43 passing through the side walls 44 of the wringer frame.

Hooked in the connecting portion 41 is a spring 45 which is anchored at 46 to the end wall 47 of the wringer frame.

Spring 45 is powerful enough to operate member 40 to force the coupling 17 backwardly against the pressure of spring 38 as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5. The function of the mechainsm just described will be explained shortly.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the wringer is provided with a top frame 48 which is disposable on the uprights 11 and 12. It is normally held in association with the lower frame, at the left hand end by a pair of spaced lugs 4949 on the ends of a bar 49a afiixed to upright 11, which lugs engage in openings 50-50 in the end wall 48a of the top frame. As seen in Figs. 2A and 213 these lugs 49-49 have outwardly and downwardly sloping edges and the openings 505tl are larger than the lugs to permit freeing of this end of the top frame when the frame is pivoted as seen in Fig. 28 by means to be later described.

The top frame carries depending fixtures 51 which have dual side portions 52, Fig. 4, and mounted to slide between the side portions are bearing blocks 53 which are limited in downward movement by pins 54.

Journalled in the blocks is the shaft of the upper wringer roll 55 which is normally held in lowered position with respect to the top frame by means of a spring 56 attached at 57 in the top frame with its ends resting upon the blocks 53.

It will be apparent that when the top frame 48 is held in lowered position the roll 55 rests upon roll 15 and is held in pressure contact by the spring 56 which resiliently opposes upward movement of the bearing blocks It will also be apparent that when the top frame is not held as above it may move upwardly in response to the pressure of spring 56 whereby the spring is relaxed and pressure is removed from the rolls.

To hold or release the top frame as above outlined I provide a novel mechanism shown best in Figs. 2 and 7.

At the right hand end of the top frame is an arm 58 pivotally mounted on the top frame by means of a pin 59 in brackets 60. The arm has depending arm portions 61 on both sides, Figs. 7 and 8.

A link member 62 having dual arms is disposed be tween arms 61 and pivoted by a pin 63. The upper ends of the link are pivotally mounted on the wall of the lower frame by means of a pin 64 in brackets 65.

The mechanism of arm 58 and link 62 is so dimensioned and arranged that when the arm is in lowered position, as in solid lines in Fig. 7, the combination of link 62 and portions 61 form a toggle mechanism reacting between pivots 59 and 64 to hold the top frame in close relationship with the lower frame in opposition to the pressure of spring 56.

It will be noted that with link 62 in its lowered position the pivots 59, 64 and 63 are at rest in position somewhat short of dead center alignment whereby the pressure of spring 56 is made almost, but not quite, inactive so far as handle 58 is involved. It will thus be clear that in order to hold the top frame in lowered position by the means described handle 58 must be retained in lowered position by an independent locking means, otherwise the upward pressure of spring 56 will bring about rotation of link 62 and arm 58 upon their pivots toward the position shown in dotted lines wherein the top frame has been permitted to move upwardly to relax the spring and thus remove pressure from the wringer rolls.

To releasably hold frame 58 in lowered position I provide a hook mechanism, Figs. 3 and 7, comprising a hook 66 pivotally mounted in arm 58 by a pin 67. The hook is engageable with a stationary pin 68 affixed in the frame structure 25. At its upper end the hook structure has an arm portion 69 extending toward pivot 59 a short distance as shown and a spring 70 biases the structure toward locking position of hook 66.

Engaging the outer end of arm 69 is a manually accessible member 71 which is slidably mounted for vertical movement in arm 58 and is normally held in elevated position by the arm 69 as urged by spring 70.

Operation of the mechanism will now become apparent.

With arm 58 in lowered position and hook 66 in locked position, the wringer top frame will obviously be held in lowered position to apply pressure of spring 56 to the rolls.

A slight downward manipulation of member 71 will obviously disengage hook 66 whereupon spring 56 will become active to force rotation of link 62 and arm 58 upon their pivots during which movement the top frame 48 is elevated and spring 56 is relaxed to remove pressure from the wringer roll.

The mechanism is easily reset into working position by manipulation of arm 58 into lowered locked position, which arm is of sufiicient length to provide ample leverage for that purpose.

The toggled arrangement of the mechanism obviously attenuates the relatively high resistance of spring 56 to an extent enabling an operator to reset the mechanism with small effort.

pressure reset position as seen in Fig. 1, the edges 61a of portions 61 are presented to the end of the frame 43 and thus the channel shaped arm encloses and conceals the link 62, and the arm also overlies and tends to obscure the latch 66 so that this latch is not readily noticeable.

The mechanism including clutch 17 has already been described. The function of the mechanism is to control driving connection between the power source and wringer rolls in accordance with release and reset movements of the roll tensioning mechanism.

In practical use the release feature is utilized principally when an emergency arises, such as when an operators fingers or clothing become caught between the revolving rolls.

In such an event the roll pressure is quickly removable by manipulation of member 71 as described.

It often occurs that the danger of injury is not entirely removed when the roll pressure is released. For example, when an operators fingers are caught in a garment which has become wrapped around the lower roll, simple removal of the tensioning pressure may not remove the danger of injury, as the operators hand may be drawn around the rotating roll with the garment.

To remove all danger it is obviously desirable not only to remove the roll pressure but also stop rotation of the rolls.

To accomplish simultaneous release of pressure and arrestment of rotation I provide the clutch mechanism above noted.

Reference to Figs. 5 and 7 will make it apparent that when the top frame is in working position the lower end of fixture 51 rests against the top 41 of member in such relation as to hold member 40 in the position shown in solid lines, thus permitting spring 38 to propel clutch 17 forward into driving engagement of lower roll 15.

Upon release of the top frame and consequent removal of fixture 51, spring becomes active to force clutch With the parts in reset position, spring 56 is at a disadvantage in applying pressure on hook 66 and for this reason the hook carries a relatively small load and consequently offers little resistance to unhooking movement. Due to this, only slight manual effort is required to operate member 71, to release the mechanism.

When the arm 58 is moved to pressure sustaining or 17 backwardly out of driving engagement. Thus rotation of the lower roll is automatically arrested when the roll pressure means is released.

In Figs. 9 to 12 I show a modification of the device wherein the resetting mechanism is identical but is combined with a somewhat different means for locking and release.

In the modified arrangement the member 71 and connected mechanism is replaced by a mechanism including hand bars 72 disposed alongside the top frame. The hand bars are supported on short lever members 73 which are pivotally supported at 74 on brackets 75 attached to the wall of the top frame.

Springs 76 disposed within the lever structure react between the top frame wall and the levers 73 to normally hold the bars 72 in elevated position.

The ends 77 of the levers opposite the bars 72 extend within the top frame to engage lip portions 78 of a lever member 79, dual arms of which are pivotally supported at 81 on each side of fixture 51, the arms being connected by a portion 80.

Portion is disposed to be engageable with a cross portion 82 which connects dual arms 83. The arms are pivotally supported at 84 upon the side walls of the top frame, and extend toward the arm 58 a sufficient distance to lie below the pivot pin 63.

A notch in the arms is arranged to engage pin 63 whenthe same is in lowered position to lock the toggle mechanism in the same position as it would be held by the mechanism formerly described. A spring 85 anchored to pin 64 urges arms 83 toward locking relationship with pin 63.

With the modified structure, release of the roll pressure is obviously accomplished by slightly pressing inwardly or downwardly on either of bars 72 which move- 3 arms 33 and disengage pin 63, to permit release operation already described.

it will be apparent that the difference between the original and modified structure lies in the means of locking and release, it being a matter of preference which form is used.

Modification of structure is obviously possible without alteration of the principle involved. I do not wish to be limited in structure or function except within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A roll wringer mechanism including in combination, a lower frame, a top frame, wringer rolls in the frames, pressure means for the rolls, a mechanism capable of operating said pressure means comprising a handle extending away from one end of the top frame and mounted for pivotal movement thereon and of sufficient length to function as a power lever, said handle having portions included in a non-locking toggle mechanism adapted by movement of said handle to bring about operation of said pressure means to press the rolls together and a lock and release mechanism coacting with said toggle mechanism whereby the top frame is held in or released from pressure position.

2. A roll wringer mechanism including a lower frame, a top frame, wringer rolls in the frames, pressure means for the rolls, a mechanism operating said pressure means to render the same capable of pressing the rolls together, comprising an arm extending away from one end of the top frame and mounted for pivotal movement thereon, the same having portions included in a toggle mechanism adapted by movement of said arm to bring about operation of said pressure means, a stationary member on the lower frame, and means for holding the arm in position to maintain the pressure means active comprising a movable hook mounted on said arm in position to engage said stationary member to prevent reaction movement of said arm.

3. A roll wringer mechanism including in combination, a lower frame, a top frame, wringer rolls in the frames, pressure means for the rolls, a mechanism operatin the pressure means to render the same capable of pressing the rolls together comprising an arm extending away from one end of the top frame and mounted for pivotal movement thereon, the same having portions included in a non-locking toggle mechanism adapted by movement of said arm to operate said pressure means, means for holding the arm in pressure applying position, and means on the arm for disabling said holding means.

4. A roil wringer mechanism including a lower frame, a top frame, wringer rolls in the frames, pressure means for the rolls, a wringer head structure supporting said wringer frames, a mechanism to operate said pressure means comprising an arm extending away from one end of the top frame and outwardly over said head structure, said arm being mounted for pivotal movement on said top frame and having portions included in a non-locking toggle mechanism adapted by movement of said arm to bring about operation of said pressure means to press the rolls together.

5. A roll wringer mechanism including in combination a lower frame, a top frame, wringer rolls in the frames, pressure means for the rolls, a mechanism operating the pressure means to render the same capable of pressing the rolls together comprising an arm mounted for pivotal movement at one end of the top frame, the arm having portions included in a toggle mechanism adapted by movement of said arm to operate said pressure means, means for holding the arm in pressure applying position, and mechanism mounted on the arm and movable independently thereof to disable said holding means.

6. A device of the class described having in combination, a lower frame, a housing containing roll drive means supporting said lower frame, a top frame mov able toward or away from the lower frame, wringer rolls in the frames, pressure means for the rolls made active by movement of the top frame toward the lower frame and mechanism capable of moving the top frame comprising a handle pivoted to the top frame and extending away from one end of the top frame over said housing, said arm having portions included in a non-locking toggle mechanism adapted by movement of said arm to bring about movement of the top frame to render said pressure means active to press the rolls together, and means for releasably securing said non-locking toggle mechanism with said pressure means active.

7. A roll wringer mechanism having in combination, a lower frame, a top frame movable toward or away from the lower frame, wringer rolls in the frames, pressure means for the rolls made active by movement of the top frame toward the lower frame, mechanism capable of moving the top frame comprising an arm mounted for pivotal movement on the top frame having portions included in a toggle mechanism adapted by movement of the arm to bring about movement of the top frame to render said pressure means active to press the rolls to gether, means for holding the arm in pressure applying position, and mechanism mounted on the arm and movable independently thereof to disable said holding means.

8. A roll wringer mechanism having in combination, a lower frame, a top frame movable toward or away from the lower frame, wringer rolls in the frames, pressure means for the rolls made active by movement of the top frame toward the lower frame, mechanism capable of moving the top frame comprising an actuating lever arm extending outwardly away from one end of the top frame and in alignment therewith when said pressure means are active, the same having portions included in a toggle mechanism adapted by movement of the arm to bring about movement of the top frame to render said pressure means active to press the rolls together, means for holding the arm in pressure applying position comprising a hook mechanism engagable with an element of said toggle mechanism, and means to operate said hook mechanism comprising a manually accessible bar disposed across the front of said top frame having operable connection with said hook mechanism.

9. A roll wringer mechanism having in combination, a lower frame, a top frame movable toward or away from the lower frame, wringer rolls in the frames, pressure means for the rolls and driving means for the rolls made active by movement of the top frame toward the lower frame, mechanism capable of moving the top frame comprising a handle extending outwardly away from one end of the top frame and movable about a pivot fixed on the top frame, the handle having portions included in a non-locking toggle mechanism adapted by movement of the handle to bring about movement of the top frame to render said pressure and driving means active to press the rolls together and to drive the same, means for holding said handle in pressure applying and drive sustaining position, and means for disabling said holding means.

10. A roll wringer mechanism having in combination a lower frame, a top frame, wringer rolls in the frames, pressure means for the rolls, mechanism for driving the rolls, a clutch in the drive mechanism for controlling actuation of the rolls, mechanism for operating the pressure means and clutch comprising an arm extending away from one end of the top frame, the same having portions included in a non-locking toggle mechanism adapted by movement of the arm to operate the pressure means and clutch to press the rolls together and drive the same, means for holding the arm in pressure applying and drive sustaining position and manually accessible means on the arm, movable independently thereof, for disabling the holding means.

11. A roll wringer mechanism having in combination, a lower frame, a top frame, wringer rolls between said frames, pressure means for the rolls, mechanism for driving the rolls, a clutch in the drive mechanism for controlling actuation of the rolls, mechanism for operating the pressure means and clutch to render the same effective and comprising an arm extending away from one end of the top frame, said arm having portions included in a non-locking toggle mechanism adapted by a movement of the arm to operate the pressure means and clutch to press the rolls together in driving relationship, means for holding the arm in pressure applying and drive sustaining position, and manually accessible means associated with the arm and movable independently thereof for disabling the holding means.

12. In a wringer, a frame, rolls mounted in the frame, a removable top bar on the frame, pressure means between the top bar and the rolls, means for detachably securing one end of the bar to the frame, securing means between the other end of the bar and the frame comprising a toggle with one link pivoted to the frame, the other link pivoted to the bar and to said first link, and said other link being of suflicient length to function as a lever handle for manipulating said toggle to pressure sustaining position, the construction being such that the pivots of said links may be brought close to but short of a straight line position, whereby pressure between the bar and the frame will bias said toggle into a released position, and releasable latching connections between said frame and said toggle to secure said toggle in a pressure retaining position.

13. In a wringer, the combination of a wringer roll supporting frame, wringer rolls mounted in said frame, one of said wringer rolls being slidably mounted, said frame comprising opposed frame members between which said wringer rolls are located, and a toggle between said frame members for producing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising a longer outer link provided with an inner pocket and pivoted to one of said frame members and a shorter inner link pivoted to said longer link and to the other of said frame members in position to be concealed by the pocket portion of said longer link when the toggle is in pressure sustaining position, and said longer link extending beyond the pivot connection with the inner link in one direction to provide in effect a lever to move the toggle into pressure sustaining position.

14. in a wringer, a frame structure comprising relatively displaceable upper and lower frame portions, 21 pair of wringer rolls between said frame portions, and spring means reacting between one of the rolls and the upper frame portion, manually operable pressure applying means interconnecting the frame portions and operable upon manual manipulation thereof to draw the frame portions together and through the spring to apply pressure between the rolls, holding means for engaging the pressure applying means to resist pressure release movement thereof and which come into engagement with the pres sure applying means at the end of the pressure applying movement thereof, said pressure applying means including an exterior handle link of sutficient length to function as a lever in applying pressure and which handle link is interiorly pocketed to conceal the remainder of the pres sure applying means and obscure said holding means, and manually operated means to effect disengagement of the holding means from the pressure applying means thereby freeing the pressure applying means so that pressure between the wringer rolls may be released.

15. In a wringer having a frame comprising end posts, a top bar, wringer rolls and pressure means therefor operatively disposed between said frame and said top bar, said pressure means positioned to exert pressure upon said wringer rolls, the combination of a releasable connection between one end of said top bar and one of said posts, and connecting means between the other end of said top bar and the other of said posts comprising interpivoted link elements pivoted respectively to said other end of said top bar and to said other of said posts and arranged to be moved toward parallelism of the interpivoted portions of said elements for effecting wringing pressure between said rolls and away from parallelism, while maintaining all of said pivotal connections, for enabling relief of said pressure, and for movement of said top bar for release of said releasable connection, and an extension on one of said link elements projecting well beyond the pivot points and shaped for hand gripping to act as a lever arm in moving said link elements into pressure effecting position.

16. In a wringer, the combination of opposed wringer parts for receiving wringer rolls therebetween, mechanism including a toggle between said parts for producing wringing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising a longer link continuously pivoted to one of said parts and a shorter link pivoted to said longer link and continuously pivoted to the other of said parts, a latch for said toggle, and releasing means for said latch, said longer link being of channel shape to enclose and conceal the shorter link and overlie said latch with said toggle in pressure producing position.

17. In a wringer, the combination of opposed wringer parts for receiving wringer rolls therebetween, mechanism including a toggle between said parts for producing wringing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising a longer link continuously pivoted to one of said parts and a shorter link pivoted to said longer link and continuously pivoted to the other of said parts, a latch for said toggle, and releasing means for said latch, said longer link being shaped for hand grasping and of a length sufiicient to function as a lever arm for resetting said toggle to pressure producing position from released position.

18. In a wringer, the combination of opposed wringer parts for receiving wringer rolls therebetween, mechanism including a toggle between said parts for producing wringing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising a longer link continuously pivoted to one of said parts and a shorter link pivoted to said longer link and continuously pivoted to the other of said parts, a latch for said toggle, and releasing means for said latch including a unitary manually operable member acting directly on said latch.

19. In a wringer having opposed wringer members, wringer rolls therebetween, and pressure means between said members and said wringer rolls to produce pressure between said wringer rolls; the combination of interpivoted links pivoted to said respective members, one of said links being shaped for hand gripping and extending sufiiciently from its pivot connection with one of said wringer members to function as a reset lever wherewith to move the pivot between said links toward the plane in which the pivots between said links and said members are located, and safety release means acting to hold said links in such moved relation and to release said links for movement of said pivot between soid links in the opposite direction, said links having maintained articulations by said pivots with each other and with said members for limiting separation between said members.

20. In a wringer having opposed wringer members, wringer rolls therebetween, and pressure means between said members and said wringer rolls to produce pressure between said wringer rolls, the combination of interpivoted links pivoted to said respective members, means wherewith to move the pivot between said links toward the plane in which the pivots between said links and said members are located, and a safety release including a latch acting to hold said links in such moved relation and also including a single-piece manually operable member supported on one of said wringer members and movable to directly contact and release said latch to free said links which when released permits movement of said pivot between said links away from said plane, said links having maintained articulations by said pivots with each other and with said members for limiting separation between said members.

21. In a wringer having opposed wringer members, one of which is movable lengthwise with relation to the other, wringer rolls therebetween, and pressure means between said members and said wringer rolls to produce pressure between said wringer rolls, the combination of releasable connecting means between said members at one end of the same, interpivoted links pivoted to the other end of said members, one of said links extending a sufficient distance beyond the common pivot of the links to form a lever arm wherewith to move the pivot between said links toward the plane in which the pivots between said links and said members are located to produce pressure between said wringer rolls, and safety release means acting to hold said links in such moved relation, said pressure means and said safety release means acting on said links to effect movement of said pivot between said links away from said plane.

22. In a wringer having opposed wringer members, one of which is movable lengthwise with relation to the other, and wringer rolls therebetween, the combination of releasable connecting means between said members at one of their ends, interpivoted links pivoted to the other end of said members, one of said links being channel shaped to enclose and conceal the other link and its pivot points and also extending beyond the inner link sufliciently to function as a lever arm wherewith to move the pivot between said links toward the plane in which the pivots between said links and said members are located, and pressure means between said members and said wringer rolls to produce pressure between said wringer rolls, and safety release means acting to hold said links in such moved relation and to release the links for movement of said pivot between said links in opposite direction away from the plane of the pivots with an upward swinging movement, whereby said lengthwise movable member is urged tiltingly lengthwise to release said connecting means, and said links having maintained articulations by means of said pivots with each other and with said members for limiting separation between said other end of said members.

23. In a wringer having opposed wringer members, one of which is movable lengthwise with relation to the other, wringer rolls therebetween, and pressure means between said members and said wringer rolls to produce pressure between said wringer rolls, the combination of releasable connecting means between said members at one of their ends, interpivoted links comprising a longer link pivoted to the other end of said one member and a shorter link pivoted to the other end of the other of said members, said longer link extending a sufiicient distance away from the interpivot connection to act as a hand lever wherewith to move the pivot between said links toward the plane in which the pivots between said links and said members are located, and safety release means to hold said links in such moved relation, said pressure means and said safety release means acting together on said links for movement of said pivot between said links in opposite direction to urge said lengthwise movable member lengthwise to release said releasable connecting means, said links having maintained articulations by means of said pivots with each other and with said members for limiting separation between said members.

24. In a wringer having a lower member, an upper member, wringer rolls between said members, and pressure means for exerting pressure on said wringer rolls, the combination of interpivoted links pivoted to one end of said members, outwardly endwise releasable connecting means between the other end of said members, one of said links being longer than the other at one side of its interpivoting pivot and extended as a lever at the other side of its interpivoting pivot wherewith to move the interpivoted ends of said links toward the plane in which the pivots between said links and said respective members are located for building up pressure in said pressure means, means whereby to hold said links in such moved relation, and safety release means having operative connection with said holding means for movement of said interpivoting pivot away from said plane, for release of said pressure and endwise movement of said upper member for release of said connecting means.

25. In a wringer having a lower member, an upper member, wringer rolls between said members, and pressure means for exerting pressure on said wringer rolls, the combination of interpivoted links pivoted to one end of said members, releasable connecting means between the other end of said members, one of said links being longer than the other at one side of its interpivoting pivot and extended as a lever at the other side of its interpivoting pivot wherewith to move the interpivoted ends of said links toward the plane in which the pivots between said links and said respective members are located for building up pressure in said pressure means, means whereby to hold said links in such moved relation, and safety release means having operative connection with said holding means for movement of said interpivoting pivot away from said plane and for release of said releasable connecting means for release of said pressure on both ends of said wringer rolls.

26. In a wringer having a wringer roll supporting frame, wringer rolls mounted in said frame, said frame comprising opposed frame members between which said wringer rolls are located, the combination of means including a toggle between said frame members for producing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising a longer outer link provided with an inner pocket and pivoted to one of said frame members on an axis transverse to the axes of said rolls for movement toward and away from the end of the frame and a shorter inner link pivoted to said longer link within said pocket and to the other of said frame members in position to be received in said pocket upon movement of said toggle to position for producing such pressure between said rolls, edges of said outer link being presented to the end of the frame in the pressure position and forming with the frame an enclosure for the shorter link.

27. In a wringer having a wringer roll supporting frame, wringer rolls mounted in said frame, and roll pressure means, said frame comprising opposed frame members between which said wringer rolls are located, the combination of means including a toggle between said frame members for producing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising a longer outer link provided with an inner pocket and pivoted to one of said frame members and a shorter inner link pivoted to said longer outer link within said pocket and to the other of said frame members in position to be received in said pocket upon movement of said links to position for producing such pressure between said rolls, a latch to hold said frame members in pressure relation, and safety releasing means for said latch.

28. In a wringer having a wringer roll supporting frame, wringer rolls mounted in said frame, said frame comprising opposed frame members between which said wringer rolls are located, the combination of connecting means between the respective ends of said frame members to maintain said rolls in normally parallel relation an for producing wringing pressure between said rolls and for release of such pressure and including a releasable connection between said frame members at one of their ends and a toggle comprising links at all times pivoted to one another and to the other of the ends of said frame members and movable in the plane of said rolls, portions of said connecting means being constructed to react one upon the other for producing such wringing pressure between said rolls and for release of said pressure, one of the links of said toggle being of sufiicient length and proper shape to function as a manually operable lever to move one of said connectingv means to a 11 pressure producing position after movement of the other of said connecting means to such position, and means for release of one of said connecting means to induce release in the other of said connecting means.

29. In a wringer having a wringer roll supporting frame, wringer rolls mounted in said frame, said frame comprising opposed frame members between which said wringer rolls are located, a pivotal connection between said frame members at one only of their ends, the pivotal axis of said connection being transverse to the axes of said rolls, the combination of a toggle between said frame members at the other of their ends to maintain said rolls in normally parallel relation and for producing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising an outer link provided with an inner pocket and pivoted to one of said frame members and an inner link pivoted to said outer link and to the other of said frame members, said outer link extended as a manual operating part beyond the pivot between said links, and said links movable toward said frame members for producing such pressure between said rolls, with said inner link located in said pocket and adjacent said frame members and with the pocket defining edges of the outer link presented to and forming with the frame an enclosure for the inner link.

30. In a wringer having a wringer roll supporting frame, wringer rolls mounted in said frame, one of said wringer rolls being slidably mounted, said frame comprising opposed frame members between which said wringer rolls are located, the combination of a toggle between said frame members for producing wringing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising a link provided with an inner pocket and pivoted to one of said frame members and an inner link pivoted to said pocketed link and to the other of said frame members in position to be received in said pocket upon approach to pressure producing and sustaining position of said toggle, and with pocket defining edges of the first said link presented to the frame and conjointly with the frame forming an enclosure for said inner link.

31. In a wringer having a roll supporting means, rolls therein, said means comprising a lower frame, a releasable top frame, and pressure means for the rolls; the combination of a mechanism comprising a toggle, one link being mounted for pivotal movement at all times on the top frame and the other link of the toggle being pivoted to the first-mentioned link and to the lower frame, said first-mentioned link having an arm extending past the pivots of the second-mentioned link and forming a lever for actuating the toggle to position the same to exert pressure on the pressure means.

32. In a roll wringer releasing device for a wringer having a lower wringer frame, a releasable top frame therefor, wringer rolls disposed in the lower frame, tensioning means for the rolls supported in the upper frame, the same being capable of moving the upper frame relative to the lower frame to relax pressure between the rolls, the combination of a toggle link mechanism connecting the upper and lower frames the same being operable by the upper frame when the latter is moved by said tensioning means, latch mechanism cooperative with said link mechanism adapted to prevent operation of the latter by the described movement of the upper frame whereby said movement is prevented and pressure between the rolls is maintained, a portion of said toggle link mechanism being interiorly hollow and shaped to cooperate with at least one of said wringer frames and enclose and substantially conceal the remainder of said link mechanism and overlie said latch mechanism when the link mechanism is in pressure maintaining position, and manual means for moving said latch to permit operation of the toggle link mechanism to allow movement of the upper frame whereby pressure between the rolls is relaxed.

33. In a wringer having a frame having upright portions, wringer rolls disposed between the upright pora 12 tions of said frame, a separable cross head member supported by said upright portions, spring means carried by said cross head member for normally holding said wringer rolls in pressure contact, the combination of toggle link mechanism pivoted at all times to said cross head and one of said upright portions and having inseparable members for retaining said cross head member in normal working position and joining the cross head to at least one of the upright portions, a movable latch member carried by said toggle link mechanism for holding the toggle mechanism in operable relation when retained in holding position and so that the pressure load is divided between the toggle mechanism and latch, said spring means being operable to move the toggle mechanism when the latch is not retained in holding position whereby the pressure between the rolls is released.

34. In a wringer having a frame, rolls mounted in the frame, a removable top bar on the frame, pressure means between the top bar and the rolls, and means for detachably securing one end of the bar to the frame, the combination of securing means between the other end of the bar and the frame comprising a toggle with one link pivoted to the frame, the other link pivoted to the bar and to said first link, the construction being such that the pivots of said links may be brought close to but slightly off a dead center straight line position, the link pivoted to the bar being materially longer than the other link and interiorly hollow to function as a hand lever in moving the links close to a straight line position and to conceal the other link when such position is reached, whereby pressure between the bar and the frame will bias said toggle into a released position, and latching means to secure said toggle in a pressure retaining position.

35. In a wringer, the combination with a base, bridgebar and connecting anchorage for one end of said bar to said base, of an anchorage for the other end of said bridge-bar, comprising a toggle connected at its opposite ends to said base and bridge-bar and having one of its links having an extension beyond its connection with the companion link to form a hand-manipulable member, a latch arranged to establish a releasable engagement between the base and the said extended portion of said link, and a handmanipulable means mounted on an easily accessible part of the wringer by which the latch may be released.

36. A roll wringer mechanism for a wringer having a frame comprising lower and top frames, wringer rolls in the frame, and pressure means for the rolls, a mechanism capable of operating said pressure means comprising a lever link on one end of the top frame and mounted for pivotal movement thereon, said lever link having portions included in a non-locking toggle mechanism adapted by movement of said lever link to bring about operation of said pressure means to press the rolls together, and a lock and release mechanism coacting with said toggle whereby the top frame is held in or released from pressure position.

37. A roll wringer mechanism for a wringer having a frame comprising lower and top frames, wringer rolls in the frame, and pressure means for the rolls, a mechanism operating the pressure means to render the same capable of pressing the rolls together comprising a lever link on one end of the top frame and mounted for pivotal movement thereon, the same having portions included in a non-locking toggle mechanism adapted by movement of said link to operate said pressure means, means for holding the link in pressure applying position, and means associated with the link for disabling said holding means.

38. A roll wringer mechanism for a wringer having a frame comprising lower and top frames, wringer rolls in the frame, and pressure means for the rolls, a mechanism operating the pressure means to render the same capable of pressing the rolls together comprising a lever link mounted for pivotal movement on one end of the top frame, the same having portions included in a toggle i3 mechanism adapted by movement of said lever link to operate said pressure means, means for holding the lever link in pressure applying position, and mechanism associated with the lever link and movable independently thereof to disable said holding means.

39. A device of the class described having a frame comprising a lower frame and a top frame movable toward or away from the lower frame, wringer rolls in the frame, and pressure means for the rolls made active by movement of the top frame toward the lower frame, the combination of mechanism capable of moving the top frame comprising a lever link extending from one end of the top frame and mounted for pivotal movement thereon, said lever link having portions included in an unstable toggle mechanism adapted by movement of said lever link to bring about movement of the top frame to render said pressure means active to press the rolls together and means for releasably securing said toggle mechanism with said pressure means active.

40. In a wringer, having a frame; rolls mounted in the frame; and pressure means exerting pressure on the rolls from the frame; the combination with said frame and pressure means of a safety release device comprising a resetting toggle having its links arranged in unstable relation, one of the links being elongated to form a resetting lever; a catch between the toggle and the frame for retaining the toggle in the pressure retaining position, a spring carried by said lever on the inner side thereof and operating on the catch to hold it in toggle retaining position; and a trip mechanism operating to release the catch.

41. In a wringer, having a frame; rolls mounted in the frame; and pressure means exerting pressure on the rolls from the frame; the combination with said frame and pressure means of a safety release device comprising a resetting toggle having its links arranged in unstable relation, one of the links being elongated to form a resetting lever; a catch between the toggle and the frame for retaining the toggle in the pressure retaining position, a spring carried by said lever on the inner side thereof and operating on the catch to hold it in toggle retaining position; a trip mechanism operating to release the catch, and said resetting lever being interiorly hollow to conceal the rest of the toggle and overlie said catch when in pressure retaining position.

42. in a wringer, having a frame; rolls mounted in the frame; and pressure means exerting pressure on the rolls from the frame; the combination with said frame and pressure means of a safety release device comprising a toggle having its links arranged in unstable relation; a pivotal catch positioned to establish connection between the toggle and wringer frame for retaining the toggle in set position; a spring operating on the catch in set position to hold it in locking engagement; and a trip mechanism actuating the catch, said spring being secured to said resetting toggle and moved bodily therewith.

43. A roll wringer mechanism including a lower frame, wringer rolls in said frame, a top frame member movable toward and away from said lower frame member, pressure means for said rolls between said top frame member and said rolls, mechanism for moving the top frame member toward the lower frame to render said pressure means effective, said mechanism comprising a toggle link structure with one link pivoted to the top frame member and another link pivoted to the lower frame, and a release member carried by said one link and movable with said top frame member to effect a release movement of the toggle structure to free said top frame member and release the pressure on the rolls.

44. A roll wringer mechanism including a frame, wringer rolls in said frame, a top bar for said frame and movable relatively thereto and capable of withstanding roll pressure, toggle links pivoted respectively to said frame and said top bar and movable to a position approaching dead center to hold said top bar against the '14 separating force of the roll pressure, a latch to hold said toggle links in pressure sustaining position, and a vertically slidable member associated with saidv latch to move the same into position to release the roll pressure.

45. A roll wringer mechanism including frame means, wringer rolls in said frame means, a wringer head structure containing roll driving means supporting said frame means at one end thereof, a toggle mechanism for applying pressure to said rolls, said mechanism including a lever arm by which the mechanism is moved to pressure applying position and which arm extends outwardly away from said frame means over said wringer head, and releasable latch means between said arm and said head to hold said toggle mechanism in pressure sustaining position.

46. A roll wringer mechanism including frame means, wringer rolls in said frame means, a wringer head structure containing roll driving means supporting said frame means at one end thereof, a toggle mechanism for applying pressure to said rolls, and said mechanism including a lever arm by which the mechanism is moved to pressure applying position and which arm extends outwardly away from said frame means over said wringer head, the upper face of said arm being in substantially the same plane as the top of said frame means when the toggle mechanism is in pressure sustaining position.

47. A roll wringer mechanism including a frame, wringer rolls in said frame, drive means for said rolls, a movable drive connection between the drive means and one of said rolls, a top bar movable with respect to said frame, pressure means for the rolls between said top bar and the rolls and active when the top bar is close to said frame, toggle mechanism continuously connected with said bar and frame and operable to move said bar toward said frame and apply pressure to the rolls, manually operable release means for said toggle mechanism operable independently of said toggle mechanism, and means operable upon pressure release and the movement of said top bar away from said frame to disrupt said drive connection.

48. A roll wringer mechanism including a frame, wringer rolls in said frame, drive means for said rolls, a movable drive connection between the drive means and one of said rolls, a top bar movable with respect to said frame, pressure means for the rolls between said top bar and the rolls and active when the top bar is close to said frame, toggle mechanism connected with said bar and frame to move said bar toward said frame and apply pressure to the rolls, manually operable release means for said toggle mechanism, spring means urging said movable drive connection into disrupted position, and means depending from said top bar overcoming said spring means when pressure is on the rolls.

49. In a wringer, the combination of a wringer roll supporting frame, wringer rolls mounted in said frame, one of said wringer rolls being slidably mounted, said frame comprising opposed frame members between which said wringer rolls are located, and a toggle between said frame members for producing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising a link provided with an inner pocket and pivoted to one of said frame members and an inner link pivoted to said pocketed link and to the other of said frame members in position to be received in said pocket upon approach to parallelism between said links for producing such pressure between said rolls.

50. In a wringer, the combination of a wringer roll supporting frame, wringer rolls mounted in said frame, one of said wringer rolls being slidably mounted, said frame comprising opposed frame members between which said wringer rolls are located, and a toggle between said frame members for producing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising a longer outer link provided with an inner pocket and pivoted to one of said frame members and a shorter inner link pivoted to said longer link and to the other of said frame members in position to be received 15 in said pocket upon approach to parallelism between said links for producing such pressure between said rolls;

51. In a wringer, the combination of a wringer roll supporting frame, wringer rolls mounted in said frame, one of said Wringer rolls being slidably mounted, said frame comprising opposed frame members between which said wringer rolls are located, a toggle between said frame members for producing pressure between said rolls, said toggle comprising a longer outer link provided with an inner pocket and pivoted to one of said frame members and a shorter inner link pivoted to said longer outer link and to the other of said frame members in position to be received in said pocket upon approach to parallelism between said links for producing such pressure between said rolls, a latch to hold said frame members in pressure relation, and safety releasing means for said latch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

